Assignment task: Write a respond to at least two colleagues. Address the following in your response:
- What changes would you make to the policies your colleagues described? Explain.
- Describe how you would advocate for the changes.
1-NIC-
Call to Safty is a non-profit advocacy organization addressing interpersonal and sexual violence. The agency's mission is to "[end] domestic and sexual violence by providing confidential support services and education to empower our community" (Call to Safety, n.d.). They offer a 24-hour crisis line, in-hospital crisis response for sexual assault exams, and case management services.
Explain why you selected the agency or organization.
I chose Call to Safety because I have been a volunteer, an employee, and an intern with the agency. I am familiar with the organization's internal policies as well as state, federal, and funding policies that impact the organization. They provide important and needed services to residents of Multnomah county and partner with other agencies to identify service gaps to create comprehensive solutions.
Describe the related policy and the problem it addresses.
Call to safety has a policy of strict confidentiality, no matter the circumstance. This is what author Bruce Jansson refers to as a formal written agency-level policy (Jansson, 2018). The organization requires a signed agreement from all volunteers and employees that they will adhere to the policy that no information will be shared outside of the organization without signed consent from the client. The policy is reiterated throughout the training materials. To comply with the policy, the agency does not hire anyone who has a license, certification, or additional job that requires them to be a mandatory reporter.
The organization relies on a foundation of trust where clients can access information and resources without fear of being reported to an outside agency. Partnering organizations that are mandatory reporters often interrupt something that may need to be reported and refer the client to Call to Safety as a safe resource. As such, the agency relies on a reputation of confidentiality and safety for all clients. Even if a minor calls to discuss abuse by an adult, which would trigger a mandatory report for many agencies, staff at the Call to Safety will keep the information internal and confidential.
Explain how the policy supports the mission and impacts (positively or adversely) the clients of the organization.
There are two parts of the mission that the policy supports: confidentiality and empowerment. To be a safe place for people experiencing violence to access information, referrals, and support, Call to Safety needs to protect confidentiality. If employees report what they hear to law enforcement or child protective services, it would be an exception to their commitment to confidentiality, as stated in the mission. Likewise, the agency is committed to client empowerment. This requires allowing people to make their own decisions with the information they are given. Sharing a client's information an outside agency without consent takes the decision-making out of the client's hands.
People who come to Call to Safety for support may have fears of working with law enforcement or child protective agencies. Advocates working for the organization receive training around the justifiable fears a person may have when involving law enforcement. In some cases, an abuser may be using a person's history with the law to maintain control. For example, an abuser might tell a person on probation for substance abuse that they will report substance use if the person does not comply with their wishes. In another case, an abuser might use a parent's fear of losing custody of their children against them by threatening to report child neglect. These are some examples of why adherence to confidentiality supports the mission of "providing confidential support services and education to empower" and positively impacts the people who rely on the services (Call to Safety, n.d.).
2-TAS-
Post the name and mission of the social work agency or organization you selected.
The agency I choose for this discussion is Fairfax County Department of Family Services (DFS); having previously worked for Fairfax County DFS in Child Protective Services for several years in the division of Children, Youth, and Family Services (CYF), I can speak to their mission and vision to "protect children from harm, prevent child abuse and neglect, support families and help them remain together safely for the long-term emotional and physical health of the children" (Fairfax County Department of Family Services-Children, Youth and Families. (n.d.). The impact of family services on vulnerable populations is significant as it can provide crucial support to individuals and families experiencing challenges who may be isolated or cannot protect themselves.
Describe the related policy and the problem it addresses.
Child protective services is a social welfare policy (Jansson, 2018) meant to address the concern of child abuse and neglect. In Virginia, child protective services are provided by The Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS) under the supervision of the Virginia Department of Social Services as authorized by § 63.2-1501 et seq. of the Code of Virginia. The Code of Virginia prescribes that each LDSS maintain the ability to receive and respond to reports alleging abuse or neglect of children. The policy further states that "Child protective services" means the identification, receipt, and immediate response to complaints and reports of alleged child abuse or neglect for children under 18 years of age. It also includes assessment and arranging for and providing necessary protective and rehabilitative services for a child and his family when the child has been found to have been abused or neglected or is at risk of being abused or neglected (Virginia Department of Social Services, 2022).
Explain how the policy supports the mission and impacts (positively or adversely) the clients of the organization.
Child protection services support the safety and protection of children by supporting families through intervention, prevention, advocacy, partnership, and supportive services. This can help children stay and remain with their families and strengthen parents' abilities to care for their children and family connections while connecting families to resources. Not all children require out-of-home placement, and programs established within Fairfax County CYF, such as Neighborhood Network or Healthy Families, are preventive programs that additionally support and provide preventive services that can strengthen the well-being of children and improve their lives.